Claiming Honor (Bad Boys of River City Book 3) Read Online Free

smirking. That just ain’t right. They’re making me look bad in front of my woman.
    I don’t think so. I grin at Lake and he has the good sense to look a little worried. I’m not much interested in just whaling on something anymore. I want to finish this fast, grab Honor, and go home. I go for Lake’s pretty face. He won’t like it and he’ll get sloppy. I’m right. Once I bust his lip he gets too close. It’s easy to trip him. I could go in for the knock out, in a real fight I would, but this is one of my best men. I’m not damaging him if I don’t have. I reach for his hand, pull him up and together we climb out of the ring.
    Where Honor is waiting. This beautiful, brilliant woman. Mine. I don’t even try to fight that primitive inner claim anymore. She owns a piece of my soul and I’ve accepted it. But her showing up now is not a sign of the capitulation I long for and that concerns me.
    “What’s wrong, sweetheart? Did something happen?”
    There’s a scared look in her eye that makes me shake and clench my fists. If anyone’s hurt her, I’ll kill ‘em.
    “Not here,” she says, looking around.
    It’s about three in the afternoon and the gym is packed. That look on her face is killing me. I want to pull her into my arms but she’s wearing a pretty blue dress I’m guessing is silk. She wouldn’t appreciate me ruining it. I take her hand instead.
    “In the office,” I say, motioning Ryder and Lake to follow. I have a feeling I’m going to need them.
    I push her into my chair and sit on the edge of the desk.
    “Talk to me, Honor.”
    She looks shaken now and I hate that. It makes me want to rage but she doesn’t need to see that.
    “I got home. Got something to eat.”
    This close after lunch? I know what that means and I look over my shoulder to glare at Ryder who just shrugs.
    “Then I wanted to change and I went to my bedroom.”
    Her voice drops so low I’m actually afraid to hear the rest and look her over carefully. No bruises. No cuts. But something has scared her badly.
    “Someone ripped up a bunch of my clothes and left red and black roses all over the place." She looks frightened and I don’t blame her. I’ve gone cold.
    “What did the police say?” I ask.
    She shakes her head. “I didn’t call them. I locked the door behind me and came straight here.”
    I can’t begin to say how much that relieves me. She’s coming to me. Finally. This song and dance between us can end and our lives can get real. I’ve never wanted anything in my life as much as I want Honor. But I don’t want to scare her off before it’s a done deal either.
    “Give Ryder your keys. He’ll call the cops and we’ll meet them after I get cleaned up.”
    She opens her mouth and I know it’s to protest. I give her my take no shit glare and shake my head. She isn’t winning this time. Sighing, she pulls her keys out and tosses them to Ryder. He waits for my nod before leaving.
    “On the door,” I tell Lake.
    He’ll stick close by until this is taken care of. I’m not taking any risks with Honor’s safety. Lake walks out and closes the door behind him. I’m alone. With Honor. It’s about damned time. I turn back to look at her and see the nervousness on her face. She’s afraid of giving into the chemistry between us and maybe she should be. I’m looking forward to drawing this out, building the anticipation. I trail my fingers down the side of her face. Heat grows in her eyes as a tremor wracks her body.
    I want to wait this first time. I want to make her feel incredible. Cherished. I absolutely should not fuck her in my dingy gym office. Or in the shower in the adjoining bathroom. I take her hands and tug her to her feet, but when I bend my head to kiss her she stops me with a hand over my mouth.
    “Not like this,” she whispers. “Not here.”
    “A kiss, sweetheart. I just want one little kiss.”
    We both know that’s not true and she actually smiles. 
    “Liar,” she teases, as she